Forest Edge ES - Eagle Updates: September 20

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Principal's Message

Hello Forest Edge Families and Community!

It's been a great week at FEES! Earlier this week we held our first Advanced Academics Parent Information Session. During this meeting Mrs. Hanson, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, shared about the varying levels of service. Our next Advanced Academics Parent Information session will be held on October 22. 

Additionally, we had our first PTA meeting on Tuesday. It was great to see so many of our families come out and learn about the PTA goals and plans for the school year. We would love to see more families join. Please mark your calendars for our next meeting on October 22, 2024 at 7:00 in the library. 

Lastly, our first Early Release of the school year will be on Monday, September 23. Students will be dismissed at 12:35 PM. Some families have indicated that their child will be staying at school until the normal dismissal time at 3:35. We are encouraging all families to stick to their dismissal choice so that we can provide effective monitoring of all students. Thank you for your cooperation!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Dr. Brittany Rogers, Principal

Mrs. Ashley Fisher, Assistant Principal


After School Programs ⭐♟️🤩

We are excited to be offering a variety of after-school programs this fall! Please see the offerings below and click this link to sign up!

Please note that the registration for STEMExcel & Chess must be done directly through their website.

Click here for the StemExcel Registration.

Click here for the Chess Registration.

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SLHS Food Pantry 0.5K

Please join Dr. Rogers and Mrs. Fisher on September 29th, 2-4pm on Lake Anne Plaza as the SLHS PTSA Food Pantry hosts its 7th Annual “Do It Your Way 0.5K.” Join our community for lively music, pre-race warm-ups, sweet treats to put a little pep in your step, a raffle, prizes for most spirited and best dressed, all as part of the most rewarding 650 steps you’ll take all year. Register online here or in person the day of the event. All proceeds go directly toward food, toiletries, and other necessities for SLHS pyramid families in need.

Wear your Forest Edge spirit wear and come out to cheer us on! 💚


We All Belong at School

Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school. 

Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!


Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.


Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

  • Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
  • Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
  • Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
  • Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
  • A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
  • Alcohol or drug use.
  • Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
  • Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact Sarah Zamfir (school counselor), Catherine Campane (school social worker) or Bruce Manise (school psychologist) at 703-925-8000, to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.


FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages. 


🩹 Immunization Requirements

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to [SCHOOL NAME] front office. 

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:  

  • A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
  • A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
  • A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations.


✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. 

Our third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful. For example, making sure they are readers by third grade and taking courses that challenge them throughout their education will help prepare them for lifelong success. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice.


📋 Permission Forms

Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool


🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!


2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities 

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30

You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.


Early Release Mondays

We wanted to provide a reminder and follow up to the FCPS communication that was sent in June regarding seven three-hour early release Mondays for elementary students in the 24-25 year.

Forest Edge ES will dismiss at 12:35 pm on the dates below.  

  • September 23
  • October 28
  • December 9***this is a change 
  • February 24
  • March 17
  • April 28
  • May 19

This time will be utilized for teacher planning time to support students, complete required professional development for the new Virginia Literacy Act, new reading and math standards, and other initiatives. 

Additional information can be found on the FCPS  Early Release Mondays webpage. If you have immediate questions, please email ESPlanning@fcps.edu


Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time. 

Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.


🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

  • Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
  • Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary 
  • Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
  • Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
  • Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.


Calendar Reminders

 

Early Release Monday-Students Dismissed at 12:35

September 23, 2024

 

Student Holidays

October 3, 2024

October 4, 2024

October 14, 2024

 

End of Quarter 1

October 31st, 2024: 2-Hour Early Release (dismissal begins at 1:35)

 

 

🗓️CLICK HERE for the FCPS Calendar!